henson



(No Model.) I SSheets-Shet 1,. J. W. HENSON.

V BILL AND LETTER FILE. No. 474,776. Patented May 10, 1892 Zz'r affarzuy177/126H'6J' m MS (No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2. J W BENSON BILL ANDLETTER FILE.

Patented May 10, 1-892.

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J. W. HENSON.

BILL AND LETTER FILE. No. 474,776. 7 Patented May 10, 1892.-

' UNITED STATES.

PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH IV. HENSON, OF LA GRANGE, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO NAHUMEDWARD JENNISON, OF SAME PLACE.

BILL AND LETTER FILE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 474,776, dated May 10,1892. Application filed November 25, 1890. $ei-ia1No. 372,605. [Nomodel.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOSEPH IV. HENSON, a citizenot' the United States,residing at La Grange,in the county of Cook and State of Illinois,ha'veinveuted a certain new and useful Improvement in Bill and LetterFiles, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to bill and letter files of that class whichcomprise a couple of parallel transfer-wires and a couple of parallelreceivingwires located the same distance apart as said receiving-wiresand movable toward and away from the latter, whereby said transfer andreceiving wires can be joined or separated to permitpapers to be placedthereon and removed therefrom.

The object of my improvement is to provide a device of this descriptioncomprising a minimum number of parts, combining durability andcompactness of construction and arrangement with simplicity andefficiency of operation.

The invention consists in the features of construction and combinationof parts hereinafter fully described, and pointed out in the appendedclaims.

In the accompanying drawings, illustrating my invention, Figure 1 isaplan view of a file constructed in accordance with my invention. In thisand in the other views only a portion of the base-board is shown forconvenience of illustration. Fig. 2 is a side elevation. In this figurethe receiving-Wires and parts connected therewith are shown in dottedlines in the position they will assume when separated from thetransfer-wires. Fig. 3 is a plan View of the apparatus with thespring-plate removed. Fig. I is a detail view of the operating-bar. Fig.5 is a transverse section of the same on line 5 5. Fig.6 is a plan viewof a modified form of construction embodying my invention. Fig. 7 is aview,

partly in vertical section, on line 7 7 in Fig. 6. Fig. Sis a detailview of a modified form of construction of the upright support of theopcrating-bar.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, A indicates a base-board uponwhich the operative parts of the device are supported. before stated, afile constructed in accordance with my invention embraces two stationarytransfer-wires and two movable receiving-wires capable of being movedtoward said transfer-wires, so as to be joined thereto in the usualmanner, so that papers can be passed from one of said pairs of wires tothe other pair and also capable of being separated, so that papers canbe placed upon and removed from said receiving-wires. The constructionemployed for joining the wires consists of a recess in the end of onethat receives the end portion of the other wire, so that they haveintertittin g end portions. The transfer- Wires B are secured to thebase-board and have upright portions b and overhanging arched portionsb, whose lower ends are recessed, as shown at b to receive the pointedor sharpened ends of the upright movable receivingwires 0. In accordancewith the broad idea of my improvement the said receiving-wires arearranged so that they are capable of a downward movement to separatetheir ends from the ends of the transfer-Wires and then a movement awayfrom or to one side of the ends of said transfer-Wires to permit thepapers to be easilyplaced upon the said receiving-wires. Theabove-described movement on the part of the receiving-Wires disconnectsthem from the transfer-wires, and to connect them a movement that is thereverse of the above-described movement is imparted to saidreceiving-wires.

The manner of using a bill and letter file of this kind is substantiallythe same as that of the ordinaryfile, and consists merely in bringingthe receiving-Wires forward, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2, when itis desired to place papers thereon, and then throwing said receivingwires back to connect them with the transfer-wires in a familiar manner.In 0 said Figs. 1 to 3 the said transfer-wires are made in one piece andthe rectangular-shaped base portion formed by bending the part of thewire connecting the upright portions to the desired shape and securingsaid bent base portion in a suitably-formed groove or .cutaway portionof the base-board. The movable receiving-wircs are also convenientlyformed from a continuous piece and comprises the upright portions 0,connected by the base portion The receiving-wires are carried andsupported upon a spring-plate D, which rests upon the base-board atitsends, but rises therefrom between said ends. Suitable perforations orapertures are formed in said spring-plate D, through which the uprightportions 0 of the receiving-wires project, and the base portion 0 issoldered or otherwise secured to the under side of said spring-plate D.The combined downward and forward movement of the receiving-wires isaccomplished bypressi n g down wardly the upwardly- [5 curved portion ofthe sliding spring-plate, and at the same time causing said spring-plateto move forwardly, it being understood that the downward movement of thereceiving-wires first occurs until the sharpened ends of thereceiving-wires are withdrawn from the recessed ends of thetransfer-wires, whereupon the former can be moved forwardly withoutinterference. The width of the spring-plate is greater than the distancebetween the receiving and transfer wires. and said plate in its rearportion is cut away, as at d d, to provide a rearwardly-extendingportion, which can pass between the upright portions of thetransfer-wii'es. In the forward end portions of said spring-plate alongitudinal slot d is cut, and a pin or projection d upon the baseboardpasses therethrough and erves, in connection with its narrow extendedrear portion 61 which fits between the transfer-wires, to

form suitable guides for said sliding springplate.

E E are upright supports for the operatingbar F, which serves to givethe desired movement to the spring-plate. Said operating-bar turns inbearings formed in said upright supports E, and is provided upon one ofits edges with overhanging lugs or fingers f, which engage perforationsor opening (Z in said sliding plate. In Fig. 2 the said operating-bar isshown in full lines in the position it will assume when thetransfer-wires and receivingwires are joined and also in dotted lineswhen said wires are disconnected. Said operatingbar convenientlyconsists of a fiat piece having qo reduced endportionsf,which engage thebearing-apertures e in the supports E. The said bearing-apert u re 6embraces three sides 6 e a the side 6' being curved inwardly, while thesides (5 and e are curved outwardly. The outwardly-curved side 6 forms asegment of a circle whose center is located at the junction of the sidese and e and the curve of the side 6 forms a segment of a circle whosecenteris located at the junction of the sides e and e the radius ofthese outwardly-curved sides being approximately the same as the widthof the reduced end portions of the operating-bar.

The curve of the inwardly-curved side of this bearing-aperture is aboutthe same as the other sides, while at itsjunetion with theoutwardly-curved sides it is cut out slightly, as

at e, to receive the edges of the reducedportions f of theoperating-bar. hen the wires are joined, the operating-bar is in asubstantially horizontal position, with the edges of its reducedportions located, respectively, at the junction of the outwardly-curvedside 6 of the bearing portions with the other curved sides e and 6 theparts being so constructed that when in this position the fiat side ofsaid operating-bar will rest against the upper surface of theupwardly-bent spring-plate, with the lugs f engaging the said aperturesof said plate. When, however, it is desired to disconnect the receivingand transfer wires, the handle F of the operating-bar is thrown upwardlyand rearwardly, and during the first part of the throw of thisoperating-bar it will turn upon its edge, located at the junction of thesides 6' and e of the bearing-aperture, as a center, and its other edgewill traverse the curved side e until the flat portion of the bar ridingover said curved side 6' will draw the said edge away from its centerand throw the opposite edge to the junction of the curved sides 6' and cwhereupon it will turn upon this latter point as a center until it comesin contact with the lower end of the side e as shown in dotted lines insaid Fig. 2. This will have the effect of bringing the receivingwires tothe position also shown in dotted lines in said figure. During the firstpart of the. throw of said operating-bar the springplate will becompressed and the downward movement of said fingersf will be such thatthe pointed ends of said receiving-wires will be drawn from engagementwith the transfer before said fingers move forwardly during the latterpart of the throw of said operating-bar. At the end of the throw of thebar the springplate rises slightly, which movement is hardly perceptibleand does not form an essential feature of its operation. In said Fig. 2the spring-plate is also shown in dotted lines in the position it willassume at the ends of the forward throw of the receiving-wires. Paperscan now be removed and placed upon said receiving-wires in the usualmanner, and by a reverse movement of the operating-bar the saidreceiving-Wires can be thrown back and into engagement with thetransfer-wires. it being observed that until the wires are joined thespring-plate exerts an upwardpressure, so that it rises automaticallyduring its rearward movement under the influence of the operating-bar.

The construction of the operating-bar and bearing-apertures shown intheforegoing figures presents a preferred form of construction, althoughit will be understood that various other devices and arrangements canberesorted to to accomplish this movementwithout departing from the spiritof my invention, and except in the claims for the specific forms ofconstruction I do not wish to be limited to any particular device forcausing the forward throw of the receiving-wires.

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y the same as heretofore described, while the plate G for supporting thereceiving-wires is preferably partially covered with sheet metal, towhich are secured the said receiving-wires.

. The rear portion of said plate G fits between the upright portions ofthe stationary transfer-wires and is guided thereby, while the uprightsupports E for the operating-bar are arranged between the pairs of wiresand pass upwardly through slots g, formed in said plate G, which alsoserve to guide the movement of said plate. The said operating-bar actsin the same manner, as described, and when the wires are joined theforward edge of said sliding plate is elevated bya couple ofplatesprings A, which are secured to the baseboard beneath and near theforward edge of said sliding plate. The metallic cover G upon saidspring-plate is provided with apertures g to receive the fingers f ofthe operating-bar. The operation of this form of de vice will be readilyseen, for under the influence of the operating-bar the plate will bedepressed against the action of the springs A and will then be movedforwardly in an obvious manner, while during the reverse movement ofsaid metal bar the said springs will serve to elevate the sliding plateand bring the receiving-wires into engagement with the transfer-wires.

The bent base portion of the stationary wires is secured in the groovedportion of the said base-board by screws e having its rearend locatedbeneath the base portion F of the upright E and secured by one of thescrews that hold said upright in position.

It will be understood for the broad idea of my invention I contemplateaccomplishing the throw of the receiving-wires by any suitable means,and do not intend to limit myself to the devices herein shown, except inthe claims for the specific construction therefor, as various meanscould be substituted. It will further be understood that the particularspring-support for the receiving-wires can also be variously modifiedwithout departing from my invention. have shown a modified form ofconstruction for accomplishing the throw of the receivingwires, whichconsists in making the curved sides of the bearing apertures of greaterIn Fig. 8, however, I-

length and enlarging the operating-bar correspondingly. By theemployment of this construction it requires a throw on the part of theoperating-handle F equal to about one-quarter of a revolution, whereaswhen in connection with device shown in Fig. 2 it requires a throw equalto about one-third of a revolution. While it is understood that I amentitled to all changes in dimensions, yet in the form of upright shownin Fig. 8 the lower curved side 6 does not meet the lower end of theoutwardly-curved side e In said figure the curved side 6 of thebearing-aperture is the same length as the curved side 6 of the apertureshown in Fig. 2, and at its forward end is provided with an abutment orshoulder 6 which serves to limit the forward movement of the lower edgeof the operating-bar and performs the same function as the lower end ofthe curved side 6 of the bearing-aperture shown inFig. 2.

It is manifest that any pivotal connection between the operating-bar andsliding support for the receiving-wires can be substituted for theconnection herein shown and described. The separable hinge-joint shownis a convenient construction; but an ordinary hinge connecting saidparts will answer the purpose, in which case it would not benecessary tohave the pin and slotguiding mechanism at the front end of thespring-plate. It is further obvious that the ends of the transfer-wirescan be sharpened and the receiving-wires recessed, although theconstruction shown is preferable.

What I claim as my invention is 1. A paper-file comprising a base-board,transfer-wires, receiving-wires engaging the ends of saidtransfer-wires, and amovable support for said receivingwires, havingacompound movement for moving the receivingwires to first separate theirends from the ends of the transfer-wires and then for moving saidreceiving-wires to one side of the ends of said transfer-wires.

2. A paper-file comprising a base-board. transfer and receiving wireshaving interfitting end portions, said receiving-wires being mountedupon a movable support having a compound movement for moving thereceiving-wires to first separate their ends from the ends of thetransfer-wires and then. for moving said receiving-wires to one side ofthe ends of said tranfer-wires.

3. A paper-file comprising a base-board, transfer-wires, and movablereceiving-wires mounted upon a flexible support.

4. A paper-file comprising a base-board, transfer-wires, and movablereceiving-wires mounted upon a resilient support.

5. A paper-file comprising a base-board, transfer-wires, andreceiving-wires mounted upon a movable and flexible support.

6. A paper-file comprising a base-board, transfer-wires, andreceiving-wires mounted upon a movable and resilient support.

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7. A paper-file comprising a base-board,

a movable and flexible support, and an operating device for moving andoperating said support.

8. A paper-file comprising a base-board, transfer-wires, receiving-wiresmounted upon a movable and resilient support, and an operating devicefor moving and operating said support.

9. A paper-file comprising a base-board, transfer-wires, receiving-wiresengaging the ends of said transfer-wires, a movable support for saidreceiving-wires, having a compound movement for moving thereceivingwires to first separate their ends from the ends of thetransfer-wires and then for moving said receiving-wires to one side ofthe ends of said transfer-wires, and an operating device for moving saidmovable support.

10. A paper-file comprising a base-board, upon which all the operativeparts of the device are mounted, said base-board having grooves orrccesses,transfer-wires havingtheir base portions secured in saidgrooves or recesses, and movable receiving-wires.

11. A paper-file comprising a base-board,

.upon which all the operative parts of the device are mounted, saidbase-board having grooves or recesses, transfer-wires formed from onecontinuous piece bent to form a base portion and needles and having saidbase portion secured within said grooves or recesses, and movablereceiving-wires.

12. A paper-file comprising a base-board, stationary transfer-wires, andmovable receiving-wires constructed from a continuous piece bent toprovide upright needles and a base portion connecting the same, saidbase portion being secured to a movable springsupport.

18. A paper-file comprising a base-board, transfer wires, andreceiving-wires carried by a sliding spring-support movable toward andaway from said base-board.

14. A paper-file comprising a base-board, a plurality of uprightstationary transfer-wires, and receiving-wires carried by a slidingsupport having a rearwardly-extending portion fitting between saidtransfer-wires, whereby said sliding support is guided.

15. A paper-file comprising a base-board, transfer wires, receivingWires, a sliding spring-support for said receiving-wires, and devicesarranged to depress and slide said spring-support and receiving-wires.

16. A paper-file comprising a base-board, transfer-wires,receiving-wires, a sliding spring-support for said receiving-wires,movable toward and away from said base-board, and an operating-barsupported in bearings on said base-board and engaging saidspringsupport.

17. A paper-file comprising a base-board, transfer-wires,receiving-wires, a sliding spring-support therefor, and a revolvingoperating-bar supported in bearings on said baseboard and engaging saidspring-support.

18. A paper-file comprising a base-board, transfer-wires,receiving-wires, a sliding support for said receiving-Wires, and anoperating-bar supported in bearings on said baseboard and pivoted tosaid sliding support.

19. A paper-file comprising a base-board, transfer-wires,receiving-wires, a sliding support for said receiving-wires, and anoperating bar or lever engaging said sliding support, said bar or leverbeing supported in hearings on said base-board and having a shiftingfulcrum-point.

20. A paper-file comprising a base-board, transfer-wires,receiving-wires, a sliding support for said receiving-wires, anoperating bar or lever engaging said sliding support, and uprights E onsaid base-board, said uprights being formed with bearing-apertures e, inwhich the end portions of the operating bar or lever are supported, saidbearing-apertures being provided with a plurality of fulcrumpoints forsaid operating bar or lever.

21. A paper-file comprising a base-board, transfer-wires,receiving-wires, a sliding support for said receiving-wires, anoperating bar or lever engaging said sliding support, and uprights E onsaid base-board, said uprights being formed with bearing-apertures e,having inwardly-curved sides e and outwardlycurved sides 6 and e thefulcrum-points of said operating bar or lever being located at thepoints of junction of said side 6 with said sides 6 and c 22. Apaper-file comprising a base-board, transfer-wires, and receiving-wirescarried by a sliding spring-plate movable toward and away from saidbase-board.

23. A paper-file comprising a base-board, transfer-wires,receiving-wires, a sliding spring-plate upon which said receiving-wiresare supported, restingat its end portions upon said base-board andhaving an uprising intermediate portion.

24. A paper-file comprising a base-board, transfer-wires, andreceiving-wires carried by a sliding plate possessing inherentelasticity.

25. A paper-tile comprising a base-board, transfer-wires,receiving-wires carried by a sliding support, and a revolvingoperating-bar provided with fingers engaging with apertures in saidsliding support.

. 26. A paper-file comprising a base-board, transfer-wires, receiving-wires, a sliding spring-plate upon which said receiving-wires aresupported, and a revolving operating-bar provided with fingers engagingwith apertures in said spring-plate.

27. A paper-file comprising a base-board, transfer-wires,receiving-wires carried by a sliding spring-plate, said spring-plateresting at its end portions upon the base-board and provided at one endwith a slot, and a pin passing through said slot and secured to saidbase-board.

28. A paper-file comprising a base-board, base portions located betweenthe base porrecelvlng-wires carried by a sliding support, tions of saiduprights and the said base-board. an operating-bar for moving saidsupport,

bearing-uprights for said operating-bar, said JOSEPH HENSON' 5 uprightshaving base portions adapted to be Witnesses:

secured to said base-board, and transfer-wires HARRY COBB KENNEDY,

secured to said base-board by having their R. XVAGNER.

